The Loonie Gains Against its European Counterparts and Hold’s Levels Against the Greenback.

Key Movers

Yesterday the Federal Reserve upgraded its assessment of the U.S. economy but decided to skip another interest rate increase for now leaving the cash rate at 2%. However, the committee is widely expected by market participants to approve a quarter-point increase at the September meeting. The statement said the labor market has "continued to strengthen," language consistent with the June meeting. Traders in the futures market are indicating a 91.4 percent chance of a September increase and a 68.2 percent probability for another move in December.


On the US data front, today in the US sees Factory Orders (for June) and the ISM NY business conditions index. All attention will now turn to Friday’s Non-Farm Payroll Report and ISM Non-Manufacturing PMI.


From a technical perspective, the Greenback is neutral against the Pound Sterling, currently trading at 1.3050, even as the Bank of England raise interest rates to 0.75% from 0.50% at its monetary policy meeting today. The USD/JPY pair reached a two-week high of 112.14 yesterday but turned south in early European trade. Currently trading at 111.40. The EUR/USD pair traded in a tight 30 pips' range yesterday right below the 1.1700 figure. The Euro is currently weaker this morning trading at 1.1624.


EURUSD dropped 0.3% to 1.1660 on slightly weaker than expected Manufacturing data out of Europe and broad USD strength following higher US Treasury yields across the curve, although the longer end saw a bigger increase.


European manufacturing PMIs, released yesterday morning, were mostly mixed and a non-event as far as EUR/USD traders were concerned.



There’s no European data due out today and so EUR/USD will likely take its lead from offshore events and associated global risk appetite.


The pound stuck to a narrow range vs. the US dollar yesterday, trading just above 1.31 for most of the day. UK Manufacturing PMI printed more or less in line with expectations and US data was mixed. Investors have also been reluctant to do much ahead of today’s much anticipated Bank of England monetary policy announcement.



The Bank of England was widely expected to raise interest rates from 0.5% to 0.75%, which was not fully priced in, Bank Governor Carney spoke following the announcement. Carney's comments added continued pressure on the pound, which nearly saw a break down through 1.30.


The bank also publishes its Inflation Report in which we’ll get details on forecasts for short, medium and long-term inflation. In the last report, the BoE saw inflation at 2.35% in 2-3 years, based on unchanged monetary policy. Meanwhile, there are fewer data releases due out from the US today, but traders will have half an eye on tomorrow’s Non-Farm Payrolls.


The Australian Dollar saw little change against its U.S. counterpart in domestic trade yesterday as we opened at 0.7425 and drifted lower, trading in a twenty-pip range for the day. Price action moved lower off the release of the AIG Manufacturing Index which saw a dip from 57.4 to 52. While still in expansion, it showed a slower pace for the month of June and caused the local currency to curtail and test support at US 74 cents.




Movements again overnight were minimal as the Federal Reserve kept interest rates on hold at the benchmark levels of 2.00% with the CME Fedwatch tool showing a 91% chance of an interest rate hike at the next meeting in September and a 67% chance in December.


Eventual lows were seen overnight of 0.7355 before drifting back higher as the AUD looks to test support levels at 0.74 once again today with the release of Australian June trade balance figures. Expectations are that the release will show a surplus of +$900m.


The New Zealand dollar opens lower this morning having fallen sharply through trade yesterday as the uptick in risk appetite enjoyed following reduced trade tensions faltered. The NZD touched intraday highs at 0.6851 following an upbeat press conference between President Trump and EU Commission President Jean Claude Juncker where both leaders promised to work toward zero tariffs. The impromptu press conference helped ease concerns linked to an escalating trade war and fostered a short-term upward run on commodity currencies. The Kiwi however then gave up gains as investors expect Trump attentions to return to US-Sino trade hostilities. As the tariff battle between the US and China continues and the CNY remains under pressure the upside demand for the NZD will likely be short.



Opening this morning 8 tenths of a cent lower the Kiwi currently buys just 0.6779 U.S cents as attentions turn to an all importing US GDP indicator. With expectations for an exceptionally strong Q2, a print at or around 4.8%-5% could prompt a USD extension into the weekend and see the Kiwi test lows nearing 0.6720.